Nativity c. 18th century

Editor: This is Johann Heinrich Lips's engraving, Nativity. I'm struck by the sheer density of figures, all rendered in such detail. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the economic implications of producing such a work. Lips, born in 1758, would have relied on specific tools and techniques. The labor involved in creating this engraving, the access to materials, and the intended market all shaped its final form. What do you make of that? Editor: That’s interesting. So you’re saying the act of making it is as important as what it depicts? Curator: Precisely! The material conditions of its creation, and how it was disseminated as a commodity, offers a powerful lens for understanding its cultural significance. We shouldn't ignore the religious subject matter. Editor: I see. I hadn’t thought about it that way. Curator: Thinking about it, religious imagery was more of a commodity than an act of devotion. Editor: I learned a lot about how the production of art can influence its meaning.